Refrigerating installation



1932- L. l. BECKWITH REFRIGERATING INSTALLATION Filed Aug. 27. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W W Md t w% A m d v e M M I l w u 1% Yak fiT wfiu mv MW W wv k L. l. BECKWITH REFRIGERATING INSTALLATION Oct. 18, 1932. r

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1929 Fig. 5.

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Invenior Louis I Beakw 1h.

Patented a. is, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE LOUIS- r. BECKWITH, or noncnns'rnn, nnssacnnsnm's' REFBIGERATING INSTALLATION Application fled August 87, 1929. Serial No. 888,788.

of the storage compartment.

In certain refrigerating installations such as the cold rooms employed for the storage of food stuffs in markets or the'like, the cooling unit is often disposed above the storage space to permit the effective circulatlon of air and to leave the maximum amount of room readily available for storage purposes. Installations of this character are ordinarily provided with bunkers or bafiles' which may comprise inclined wall elements to aid the circulation of the air currentsand to rece ve the moisture dripping from the cooling coils, or the like, thus protecting the stored articles.

Bunkers or bafiles of this character are commonly provided with body portions of heat non-conductive material, such as wood, cork, combinations of the same or the like, these materials ordinarily being sheathed with metal to permit-the ready cleaning of the bunkers andto prevent undue absorption of moisture by the body portion thereof. Ordinarily, moisture will tend to collect upon the cooling unit and adjoining .parts of the installation due to the low temperature of the same.

, ordinarily employed, this moisture may form a layer of frost upon the cooling coils and the adjoining bunker or bafiie pan, or relating parts of the installation. When thedoor of the storage compartment or cold room is opened, the temperature of this frost may rise sufficiently to cause melting and dripping of the moisture while the incoming air introduces an additional quantity of moisture, the major portion of which will in turn become deposited on the coldest part of the installation. Installations of this character prevent the direct'falling of condensate from the cool- Under the temperature conditions thus caused objectionable dampness or wettin of the stored materials.

he present invention provides an arrangement which avoids this ob'ection to refrigeratin To this en the metal covering of the bunker and bafile wall is interrupted so that separate metal layers are arranged upon the side of the same adjoining the cooling unit and upon installations of this character. '85

the side of the same adjoining the storage compartment or region. Since the body portion of the bunker is formed of material which is a comparatively poor conductor of heat, a definite differential will exist between the temperatures of the metal sheets which are thus separated. Accordingly, the metai sheathing of the bunker which is directly above the store e space is at a temperature appreciably hig er than thatin the region of the cooling unit, i. e. upon the upper surface of the bunker pan, and there is little tendency for moisture to collect upon surfaces from which it might fall upon the stored articles. Furthermore, this arrangement prevents the undesirable andunn sary cooling of the under portion of the bunker pan, thus aiding the thermal eflicienc of the apparatus and the desirable circu ation of the air between the bottom of the cold room and the cooling unit.

Further features of the invention relate to improved arrangements of the supporting structure of installations of this character,- and particularly, to supporting elements which are adapted to withstand the coniparatively adverse conditions to-which they are subjected, and which may be readily assembled in practicall any desired locations To this end, a plura ity ofexpansible columns are provided, suitable supporting brackets being associatedtherewith to receive beams or frame members which carry the coolingv unit or the like. i

These and otherobjects are effected by invention as will be apparent from the followmg description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, formmg a part of this application, and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing the bunker arrangement of a refrigerating apparatus, with some partsbroken away and other parts shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing in sectional elevation the manner in which the baflle and the floor pan are joined to other;

Fig. 3 1s a detail view s owing the lower end of the floor pan and the drainage connection in sectional elevation;

. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the upper portion of the baflle of Fig. 1 in sectional elevation;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail showing in elevation with parts broken away, the manner in which the framework is supported from the main supports; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of'the foot used wlth the main su ports shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

In accor ance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, means are provided for preventing the transfer of heat by conduction through the metal covering and around the edge portions of the walls, baffies and the like, which separate the cooling unit from the storage compartment. This is accomplished conveniently by interrupting the metal covering along the edge portions of the walls or bafiles so as to provide isolating spaces along the edges of the latter. By means of this construction it is possible to maintain a temperature at or below the dew point on the sides of these walls adjacent the cooling unit and thus to produce a sufiicient cooling efiect for maintaining the requisite posite sides of these walls temperature above the dew point on the opand throughout the storage compartment and hence, to provide adequate refrigeration without having condensation collect to any appreciable extent on the walls of the storage compartment.

The apparatus also includes a unitary bracket which is interposed between the juxtaposed ends of a sectional supporting mem-' her and held in place by stresses imposed upon the supporting member and also by flanges which are arranged to receive the adjacent ends of the supporting member. The

' flanges also assist in distributing stresses imposed upon the supporting arm of the bracket. a

In Fig. 1 the cooling unit is indicated generally at 10 and is supported by a framework 11 which is carried by the main vertical supporting members 12. The pipes 13 of the cooling unitare supported upon transverse angles14 and these angles are carried by hangers 16 suspended from upper transverse angles 17. The hangers-16 may be in the form of rods having threaded. ends which are attached to the respective upper and "T lower-transverse angles by means of nuts 18 which are-provided with washers 19. Y

The outer end portions of thetransverse angles 17 rest upon the top-flanges of side angles 21 and are fixedly connected thereto in any approved manner as by means of bolts 22;

The angles 21 serve as the side members of the upper portion of this framework and are arranged to rest upon the arms 23 of brackets 24 carried by the vertical members 12.

The vertical supporting members or columns 12 preferably consist of tubular sections 26 and 27 (Fig. 5), which may be of different diameters, and have their ends in juxtaposed alignment. Bracket 24 is a unitary member which may be a casting and has a transverse web or fiat portion 28 which is interposed between the adjacent portions of the tubular elements 26 and 27 and in abutting relation therewith. Upper and lower flanges 29 and 30 respectively, are provided on the web portion 28 for receiving the juxtaposed ends of the columnar sections 26 and 27. Extending outwardly from bracket 24 and preferably as a continuation of the web 28 is a supporting arm 31, which is reinforced by webs 32 that extend to the annular flange 30 of the body of the bracket. The frame members 21 have their upper flanges turned outwardly and disposed upon the arms 31 and connected thereto y means of bolts 33.

The upper section 26 of the vertical supporting member 12 is provided with threads 34 for receiving an attaching head 35. By eifecting the proper vertical adjustment of the upper section 26, by means of the threads 34. with the head 35 it will be obvious that the latter may be forced against an upper wall or ceiling and thus effectively support the upper end of column 12. Openings 36 in the lower portion of member 26 may be engaged by a tool to permit rotation of this member and the proper adjustment of the length of the post or column 12.

An inclined bunker pan 39 is preferably disposed below the cooling unit being supported upon the inclined members 41, the ends of which are secured to the posts or columns 12. An upright baflle 38 is preferably mounted upon the upper end of the inclined pan 39 and cooperates therewith in aiding the natural circulation of the air above the coolspectively, which support suitable insulating slabs 47, such as'eork-board covered on both sides with a protective compound such as asphalt. [The wooden frames 44 and 46 and the insulating material are then covered with sheets of metal 48. These sheets of metal are preferably arranged to be coextensive with the respective side walls of both the baflle 38 and thepan 39 and are also bent over the respectlve edge portions of these members so as to form flanges covering the adjacent margilbs nal portions of the eiges, 'said flanges positioning the metal relatively to the frames. However, the edges of the flanges of the covering sheets are separated along the top, bottom, andvertical edges of the bafile 38 to provide anintervening space 29 (Fig.4) for- PIG-i the upper and lower-surfaces of the bunker venting the transfer of heat from one layer of metal to the other b direct conduction across the edge portions 0 the baflie. The flanges of the sheets forming the metal covering of the pan are also spaced fromeach other alon the top outer edges of the side and. end wal s of the inclined'pan'39 to provide an intervening space 51- (Fig. 1). for the pn e of preventing transfer oi-heat by .con uction through the .metal' covering between the upper and lower sides of the pan.

Due to the provision ofinsulating spaces 49 and 51 at the edges of the bafile members 38 and 39, respectively, a definite temperature differential ordinarily exists between the opposite faces of these bafile members.

Accordingly, the portions of the same from which condensatemight fall upon the stored articles, are maintained at a temperature considerably higher than the minimu1ntem-,.

perature within the cold room so that the circulating air tends to deposit its moisture upon other portions of theinstallation such as the cooling unit 10, and the upper face of pan 30, and there being little tendenc for.

moisture to collect upon portions 0 the baflle from which it would drop upon the stored articles; as a result, objectionable wetting or dampness of these articles is avoided.

in apparatus of the type described, the connection currents right, as viewed in Fig. 1, then over the top or the bafie 38, about the cooling unit 10, and then downwardly past the lower end of the pan 39. The lower edge of the battle 38 is provided with dowels 52 which are inserted in suitable recesses provided in the upper end wall of the pan 39 and thus provide for supporting the bailie 38 on the pan 39 The metal covering 48 for the bafile 38 is preferably arranged in the form of a lip 50 which depends within pan 39 so that condensation collecting on the bafile 38 will pass down along this lip into the pan, thus preventing condensed moisture from passing outwardly between the upper edge of the pan and the baiile 38.

I claim: I

1, A refrigerating installaticn comprising a compartment having upper and lower imperforate walls of insulating material, expansible uprights extending between and fitting snugly against these upper and lower- 3 l m. b wahs, upper and lower t1 ansverse mem ers 4 verse members, a bunker pandisposed bepass upwardly at the.

neath the coolin unit and comprising insulating materia disposed between outer layers of metal sheathing, means for support ing the bunker pan solely from the lower transverse members, the layers of metal sheathing being substantially continuous over pan but being separated by a substantially continuous gap extending around the edges thereof. to avoid transfer of heatby con,- .duction through the metal sheathin ing a compartment having upper and lower I imperforate walls of insulating material, ex-' pansible uprights extending between and fitting snugly against these upper and lower walls, upper and lower transverse members extending between the uprights and connected thereto to form a sup orting framework,

a cooling unit, means or supporting the cooling unit solely from then per transverse members, a pan disposed eneath the cooling unit and comprising insulating material disposed between metal sheathing, the pan resting upon and being supported solely by the lower transverse members the metal sheathing being substantially continuous over the upper and lower surfaces of the pan but being separated by a substantially continuous gap extending around the edges thereof to avoid transfer of heat by conduction through the metal sheathing from the upper to the lower surface of the pan, and an upright baffle member comprising insulating material between metal sheathing, the metal sheathing being .folded substantially against itself along the lower edge of the bafile to porting the baflie member on the pan with the depending lip disposed within the pan so that drippings from the bafiie will fall within the pan.

8. A refrlgerating installation comprising a compartment having upper and lower imperforate walls of insulating material, expansible uprights extend ng between and fittin snugly against t-hese'upper and lower walls, extending between the uprights and connected thereto to form a supporting framework, acooling unit, means for supporting the cooling unit solely from the upper transverse members, a pan disposed'beneath the cooling unit and comprising insulating material disposed between metal sheathing, the pan resting upon and being supported solely by the lowertransverse members, the metal sheathupper and lower transverse members I ing substantiall continuous over the upper and lower su aces of the pan but bei se arated by a substantially continuous gap extending around the edges thereof to avoid transfer of heat b conductlon through the metal sheathing m the upper to the lower surface of the pan, and an upright baflie member comprising insulatin material between metal sheathing, the meta sheathing being folded substantially agiiunst itself along the lower edge of the in e to form a depending lip, this hp being sub stantially in alignment with the side of the baffle ad acent the cooling unit, dowels spaced along the lower edge of the baflie outwardly of the dependin lip, the pan having recesses registering wit and receiving the dowels for removably supportin the bafile mph the depending .lip thereof disposed within the an.

L A refrigerating installation comprising a compartmenthaving upper and lower 1mperforate walls of insulating material, expansible u rights extending between and fitting snug y against these upper and lower walls, upper and lower transverse members extending between the uprights and connect ed thereto to form a supporting framework, a cooling unit, means or supporting the cooling unit solely from the upper transverse members, a pan disposed beneath the cooling unit and comprising insulating material between metal s eathing, the pan resting upon and being supported solely by the lower transverse members, the metal sheathing being substantially continuous over the upper and lower surfaces of the pan but being separated to form a substantially continuous gap extending around the edges of the pan to avoid transfer of heat by conduction through the metal sheathing from the upper to the separated along the upper and along t lower surface of the pan, an upright baffle member comprising insulating material between metal sheathing, this sheathin being e substantially vertical edges of the baflle to form a substantially material between metal continuous gap extending along these edges to avoid. transfer of heat by conduction throu h the metal sheathing from one side to t e other thereof, and means for removably supporting the bafie along an edge portion of the pan.

5. In a refrigerating installation, the combination of a drip pan comprising insulating sheathing, this sheathing being substantially continuous over the upper'and lower surfaces of the pan and being separated along the edges thereof to avoid transfer of heat by conduction through the metal sheathing from the upper to the lower side of the pan,

an upright baflle comprising insulating material between metal sheathing, this sheathing being substantially continuous over the sides of the baflle and being separated along the upper and substantially vertical edges thereof to form a substantially continuous gap along) these edges for avoiding transfer'of heat y conduction from one side of the baflie to the other, the metal sheathing being1 folded substantiall u on itself along t e lower edge of the-bath to form 9. depending lip substantially in alignment with one side of the baffle, and dowels on the lower edge of the baffle, the pan having recesses registering with and receiving these dowels, the recesses being located to support the baflle with the depending lip projecting within the pan so that drippings from the baflle may fall within the pan. v I

6. In a; refrigerating installation of the type having a storage space and a cooling unit disposed above the storage space, the combination of a baflle member extending beneath the cooling unit and between the latter and the storage space, said baflle member comprising a body portion of insulating material and layers of im erforate metal sheathing covering said insu ating material and forming the upper and lower surfaces of said baffle member, said layers of metal sheathing having positioning and protecting flanges engaging the edges of the body portion of the bafile member, the flanges of the respective layers of sheathing being so spaced that heat cannot be conducted directly from one layer of sheathing to the other so that said layers are substantially out of direct heat conducting and heat transferring relation whereby the layer of sheathing adjoining the cooling unit may have a temperature which is definitely lower than that of the layer which is disposed above the storage space.

In a refrigerating installation of the type comprising astorage space and a cooling unit disposed above the storage space, the combination of a bunker pan directly beneath the cooling unit, an upright baflle adjoining theend of the bunker pan, layers of imperforate metal sheathing covering those sides of-the-bunker pan and'bafiie which are exposed to the cooling perforate metal sheathing covering the lower side of the bunker pan and the side of the baffle remote from the cooling unit, the sev-, eral layers of metal sheathing having positioning flanges engaging edges of the bunker pan and edges of the baffle respectively, the edges of the flanges of said first mentioned layers of sheathing being spaced from the edges of the flanges of the other layers of sheathing, the layers of sheathing on the op- EOSltG sides of said pan and said baflie therey being substantially out of direct heat conducting and heat transferring relation wherebyv the temperature of the metalsheathing from which condensate might drop upon articles in the storage compartment may be definitely higher than the temperature in the region of the cooling unit itself.

8. In a refrigerating installation of the type having a storage space and a cooling unit disposed above the storage space, the combination of a bafile member extending beneath the cooling unit and between the latter and the storage space, said baflle member having a body portion comprising relatively nonconducting frame members and insulating material between the frame members, separate layers of imperforate metal sheathing covering the upper and lower faces of the bafile member, said layers having flanges substantially covering the edges thereof to pro tect the same from moisture-and to osition the layers relative to the body portlon, the layers of metal sheathing being substantially co-extensive across the body portion of the baflle member while the flanges of the respective layers of sheathing are spaced at the outer edges of the bafile member, so that theupper and lower layers of sheathing and their respective flanges are substantially out of direct" heat conducting and heat transferring relation, whereby the temperature of the metal sheathing adjoining the cooling.

unit may be definitely lower than-that of the metal sheathing which is disposed adjacent to the storage space.

Signed by me at Everett, Massachusetts, this twenty-second day of August, 1929.

LOUIS I. BECKWITH. 

